TORONTO, Aug. 1, 2017 /CNW/ - Mercedes-Benz Canada is pleased to announce that the Groupe Park Avenue automobile consortium has acquired Mercedes-Benz de Québec.
With this acquisition, Groupe Park Avenue takes over ownership from Maurice Parent's Chatel Automobiles Ltée, which operated the dealership for nearly six decades. This is Groupe Park Avenue's second Mercedes-Benz franchise purchase; they acquired Silver Star Montréal in 2016.
Maurice Parent got his start in 1958, repairing Mercedes-Benz cars at a small garage on Arago Street in Quebec City's St-Sauveur district. In the mid-1960s, Maurice established Chatel Automobiles Ltée, purchased the garage and began selling Mercedes-Benz cars. In 1974, the dealership moved to its current location, on farmland that was previously owned by Parent's father.
Since 1974, Mercedes-Benz de Québec has undergone several significant renovations and expansions in order to keep pace with the growing needs of the community and of the Mercedes-Benz brand. Maurice's passion for and dedication to the Mercedes-Benz brand are well-known to his customers, colleagues, and friends. Unsurprisingly, he has been recognized as a "Star Dealer" 15 times since the Mercedes-Benz dealer recognition program was established more than two decades ago. His daughter Nathalie joined Chatel Automobiles Ltée in 2000, and has supported Maurice and the team in numerous management positions throughout the years.
"We are fortunate to be taking on a dealership with a proven track record – Maurice and his team deserve our recognition and our gratitude. They are starting us off on the strongest possible footing as we undertake further expansion in a competitive market," says Norman Hébert, President and CEO, Groupe Park Avenue. "A well-respected presence in the community, a solid team in place and the brand's unprecedented successes in this market made acquiring Mercedes-Benz de Québec a sound business decision for Groupe Park Avenue."
"Mercedes-Benz Canada welcomed Norman Hébert to the dealer network last year, when Groupe Park Avenue acquired Silver Star Montréal. Since then, the dealership's success is a testament to the skill and expertise of Norman and his team," says Brian D. Fulton, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Canada. "I'd also like to take a moment to acknowledge the important legacy Maurice Parent has built over the past sixty years. His hard work and unwavering dedication to the brand have been truly remarkable. He has been a real credit to this organization, a true pioneer, and Mercedes-Benz Canada's other dealers join me in wishing him all the best."
The dealership will continue to be managed by Tommy Caron, Vice-President General Manager at Mercedes-Benz de Québec. There will be no significant changes to dealership staff, many of whom have worked at Mercedes-Benz de Québec for several decades.
About Groupe Park Avenue
Established in 1959, Groupe Park Avenue now owns 19 dealerships across Canada, 17 of which are located in Quebec, and employs 1,035 people.
About Mercedes-Benz Canada
Mercedes-Benz Canada is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of the Mercedes-Benz and Mercedes-AMG passenger vehicles, Mercedes-Benz Vans and smart. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. employs approximately 1,500 people in 21 locations across Canada. Through a nationwide network of 11 Mercedes-Benz owned retail operations and 48 authorized dealerships, Mercedes-Benz Canada sold 48,320 vehicles in 2016. This represents the best year ever for the company and has positioned Mercedes-Benz as the top luxury manufacturer in Canada for the third consecutive year.
Further information from Mercedes-Benz Canada is available at media.mercedes-benz.ca.
SOURCE Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc.
Mercedes-Benz Canada: JoAnne Caza, 416 847-7550, [email protected]; Sinead Brown, 416 847-7588, [email protected]; Groupe Park Avenue: Andréanne Lachapelle, 418 476-4250, [email protected]
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